m42

Live updates

West Mercia Police said a man who had threatened to commit suicide on the M42 has been detained under the Mental Health Act and is now receiving treatment in a local hospital.

The man had threatened to throw himself off a motorway bridge, forcing police to close the M42 for 26 hours.

But police said the threat of harm to the man and people travelling on the motorway "was so significant, there was no alternative but to close the motorway and for it to remain closed until the incident had run its course".

Police said they had no choice but to keep part of the M42 closed as they negotiate with a man threatening to jump off a motorway bridge.

I would like to apologise to all motorists and local people who have experienced significant disruption as a result of this incident.

Clearly, we strive to resolve such matters as quickly as possible, but I would like to make it clear that the threat of harm both to the individual concerned and to vehicles driving on the M42 is so significant that there was no alternative but to close the motorway, and for it to remain closed until the incident has run its course.